i have heard from so many of you this year, begging for help with what seems to be the hardest task of all:  finding a valentine’s day gift for the man in your life.  and i fully admit, it is tricky.  after all, a holiday built on pink hearts and flowers doesn’t exactly scream testosterone.  the key, i think, is to let go and admit that valentine’s day is largely a girl holiday.  with that in mind, stop taking your guy’s gift quite so seriously.  he’ll be much happier getting something that’s sweet, funny and somehow involves you being naked.

i asked my hubs what the perfect gift for a guy was for valentine’s day, and well, his response can’t safely be printed.  but, his point is well taken.  find a cheeky valentine’s day card (my absolute favorites this year are these pun-ny versions from etsy seller westmama, who also happens to be a dear friend!), tie it to a can of whipped cream or a box containing the lacy negligee of your choice (since lingerie gifts really are for him anyway), and make sure you include an explicit proposition or two.  trust me, he’ll never notice (or care) that his gift cost you less than $5.

when in doubt, i tend to err on the side of corny when it comes to men’s valentines – pink champagne and scented candles just aren’t going to cut it.  urban outfitters has some fabulous guy-friendly ideas, but this box of candy hearts from urban outfitters ($8) is my absolute favorite.  it’s funny, just a little sentimental, and guaranteed to make you the coolest girlfriend/wife around.  especially if you pair it with a set of furry handcuffs.  (no, seriously.)

if you’re looking for something a little higher end, another favorite gift of mine for v-day is a really excellent bottle of his favorite liquor.  no, this does not mean champagne.  pick something he loves, and drinks when he’s celebrating.  a great single malt scotch, perhaps, or a fabulous tequila.  this works with nearly any price point – just get the best you can afford.

last but not least, i think guys sometimes get the short end of the stick when it comes to delivered gifts.  how much do you love seeing the florist show up at your office?  sending flowers isn’t the answer,  but try sending a batch of baked goods straight to his desk.  it’s creative, shows you care, and in almost every case, the way to your man’s heart really is through his stomach.  my absolute favorite for gifting are the round brownies from sugardaddy’s bakery in columbus…the flavor options are unbelievable, they’re gorgeous to look at, and they can be on his desk within 24 hours!

i happen to love valentine’s day…i loved it when i was single, and i love it still. i used to get so excited about making those valentine boxes to house all of the goodies kids passed around to each other on valentine’s day, and the valentine selection process at the grocery store every year was serious business.

that said, the holiday gets a pretty bad rap from grownups, singles and couples alike, and i do sort of hate what it morphs into once you’re an adult.  no one wants romance forced down their throat.  but i suggest a little change of outlook:  consider it a reminder to tell someone – a friend, a mom or a significant other – that you love them and can’t live without them.

i tend toward small, sweet and simple for valentine’s day, and when i doubt, i go full-blown corny – if you can’t romance them, at least you can entertain them.  that said, i rarely go overboard, and while i wouldn’t turn down an overboard gift (hi honey!), i never expect one.  just something simple that shows you’re thinking of the one you love.

today, it’s all about her…we’ll tackle the boys tomorrow (don’t worry, they’re easier to buy for locally).

jonathan adler heart pill case keychain: my love for mr. adler knows no bounds, and i simply must have this little heart pill case for my key ring.  the front is pink, the back is orange, and the inside is bright yellow…it’s just the thing to house my happy pills (er, tylenol?).  and at $24, it’s the perfect bargain valentine.  just, please, be smart and tuck a little love note (or, you know, diamond earrings) inside.

christine mignon rose gold hearts:  these sweet studs would certainly steal my heart away…and i’m sure they’d fare as well for just about any girl i know.  such a perfect valentine for a wife, of course, but what about a sister or a BFF?  divine.  $150 from the always-lovely christine mighion, and they’re eco-friendly besides.

whitney smith cupcake stand:  for the more creative guys, this might just the ultimate in sweet and thoughtful (ie, guaranteed to net you serious bonus points).  pick up one of these adorable cupcake stands ($72) handmade by whitney smith, and fill it with – you guessed it – one of her favorite cupcakes.  unveil on valentine’s day, and stand back to reap your rewards.

armani dolci truffles: i was skeptical when i heard armani’s latest venture was dessert.  after all, couture and chocolate aren’t exactly a traditional pairing.  but girls, i got to test these out, and hoo boy…mr. armani knows his sugar.  they’re utterly gorgeous (right down to the red silk packaging), unbelievably delicious, and they’ll be glad to ship anything your heart desires from their NYC flagship store, which you can reach at 212.339.5950. pricing starts at $35 for that lovely box of 16 truffles.

well, here we are with our last gift guide of the season…i can honestly hardly believe christmas is friday!

if you’ve really pushed it to the very last minute, or you’re just sick of shopping (either way, i hear you), my absolute favorite last-minute gift is a book.  one-stop shopping that still lets you show the person you actually bought a gift they’d like, not just the first thing you saw in the doorway at macy’s (and support a locally-owned bookstore along the way).

and so, to close our gift bonanza this year, i thought i’d show you the books i’ll be gifting this year, as well as the ones i’ve loved best.  one quick tip:  in general, i tend to shy away from fiction for gifting – people’s tastes are just so personal on that front.  i suggest sticking to books with pictures – they’re the books no one ever buys for themselves (but secretly are dying to own).

for the fashion-phile:  when the world in vogue: people parties places arrived on my doorstep, i was a bit overwhelmed by the sheer size of it.  but when i started to browse, my husband can attest, there were many squeals of delight.  if she (or he) is a devoted vogue subscriber, this is like a greatest-hits album from their favorite band.  my hand to god, every photo i’ve saved from vogue in the last 5 years is in this book.  plum sykes in her bespoke three-piece suit.  lauren santo domingo’s wedding dress(es).  sarah jessica parker’s photo shoot at the plaza during its renovation.  all here, often with their original accompanying article from the magazine.  trust me…this one’s guaranteed to elicit a squeal or two from your favorite fashion fanatic.

(the runner-up:  for a budget option-slash-extremely close runner-up, i think scott schuman’s book, the sartorialist, makes an amazing gift for any serious fashion lover, but it’s probably not the best choice for the casual style observer.  see my review here.)

for the interior design fanatic:  if they’re forever prattling on about how they’d love to knock out this wall, put a bay window “right over there,” or use a $300/yard fabric to reupholster your favorite chair, you have a design fanatic on your hands.  my prescription is downtown chic, by robert and cortney novogratz.  it’s the amazing story of a couple that continually adopts and radically renovates unusual urban spaces.  the results are often extraordinary, and the stories are endlessly entertaining and inspiring, including how they found an enormous stained glass rose window in europe, shipped it to america and had it installed on the 4th floor of their latest project.

(the runner-up: if their bookshelves are filled with names like kelly wearstler, michael s. smith and bunny williams, the obvious addition is david hicks: a life of design, a massive new tome chronicling the projects and style of a man widely regarded to be the father of interior design (and written by his son, which results in a really wonderful portrait of the designer).  as the sartorialist is to fashion, this book is to design. it’s not for the casual observer, but – to a devoted fan – this will be a treasure.)

for the chef: if you don’t live in the northwest, you’re probably not familiar with the magic that is the grand central bakery.  and that’s a real shame.  i’ve loved them for so long, i (half) joke they’re the reason i moved back to portland.  they make the most insanely good cookies, breads and pies i’ve ever tasted (don’t even get me started on their monkey muffins).  now that they’ve released the grand central baking book, i feel a little like the evil genius who just got hold of the hero’s magic wand.  if you have a baker in your life, you simply can’t go wrong here.

(the runner-up:  if she’s more of a cook than a baker, i quite enjoyed make it fast, cook it slow from stephanie o’dea, who wrote the book after committing to cook for her family using only a slow cooker for an entire year.  it’s not for someone who’s terribly serious about their chef-ing, but for a friend who cooks for a family every night, thinks rachael ray is fantastic and can’t get enough quick, easy recipes, this is sure to be a hit.)

for the art lover: this isn’t an art book in the most traditional sense, but just about any art fan undoubtedly has a soft spot for architect frank lloyd wright’s brilliant designs.  he also seems to be unusually popular with men, so this is most likely a great choice for the dad or uncle in your life (i know my dad would love it). when i came across frank lloyd wright: the houses, i was utterly stunned by how comprehensive it is – it contains photos of literally every private home he ever designed.  the body of work is astounding, and the book (while ridiculously large in size) is something i honestly think any art lover would be thrilled to own.

for the craftily-inclined:  i am maybe the least craft-prone person i know (okay, except for my mother), but this book had me wishing for a tub of mod podge.  one of my greatest design sorrows is wallpaper.  i continually see designs i fall hard for, only to recall that it’s generally prohibitively expensive, and that’s not even factoring in installation.  it had never occurred to me that i might be able to use some of those stunning papers in other ways, ways that involve less effort, less commitment and less of the ultra-expensive paper itself. wallpaper projects by derek fagerstrom and lauren smith (they of the curiosity shoppe in san francisco, and the ultimate DIY column on design*sponge) has given me so many ideas, even i could turn crafty on you.  well…maybe not.  but for someone who already has mod podge (and some patience, which i also lack), this is the best DIY book i’ve seen in ages.

(no runner-up here…i’m so not crafty, i couldn’t even review two crafty books.)

here’s hoping one or more of these fits the bill for that gift or two (or entire list) you have yet to check off!

heading to the mall just days before the big day terrifies me utterly.  i hate crowds, (most) other people, and the idea of fighting over that last tin of bath salts is just more than i can handle.

that said, it’s almost always a necessary evil.  i’ll sit up suddenly in bed, right around 3 am, and realize i completely forgot a gift for my mother-in-law, or my aunt sally, or…my hubs.  and i’m left with no choice.

for those in the same boat, hopefully this list of mall-attainable finds will help you streamline your search and go a step up from the typical, standard-issue mall gift.

if you’re in need of a wife/girlfriend/person who sleeps in your bed gift, i know bags are a frightening prospect for men, but trust me, this one’s pretty foolproof. i was downright shocked to walk into a coach boutique recently and fall head over heels, but the brooke hobo managed to entirely sweep me off my feet with its light, soft leather and perfect slouch.  it retails for $458, which is actually pretty reasonable in the land of handbags.  and, while i’d never presume to choose a bag for a woman i hardly know, the brooke is as close to universal as it gets.  simple, sophisticated, beautiful and ready for years and years of use.  if you’re stumped on size and color, go for the larger size in red – she can always exchange, but she’ll love that you got something more interesting than black.

for that neighbor/coworker you completely forgot, i happen to adore these mentha lip cordials from c.o. bigelow (available at your neighborhood bath & body works).  the scents are dee-vine, even for someone like me who typically hates scented lip products, because the scent fades quickly and turns into their standard-issue tingly mint, slightly glossy lip balm i’ve always loved. i’m partial to the buttered rum and spiced cider, but if she’s into more dessert-type scents, definitely go for the hot chocolate and eggnog.  $7.50 each, and get one free if you buy two.  i’d keep the freebie.  i’m selfless that way.

and for your friend – the really hip one – i want you to venture somewhere unusual.  a kid’s store called ‘the children’s place’ happens to be stocking the cutest little watch this christmas.  it’s only $14, and definitely sized to fit an adult.  love the orange face, and even love the camouflage (because it’s grey, not green) – i think this would look fantastic with a blazer/jeans look to add some interest.  i would suggest you find a way to repackage it…the box is a little lacking.  try mixing it with a $5 stack of gold bangles from forever 21, and wrap the whole thing as a set – that would be pretty chic.

(incidentally, this would also make an awesome gift for the kid in your life, obviously…how cute would your five-year-old nephew be in this watch?)

i thought these jeweled slippers were the cutest thing when i spotted them in a mall window a while back.  they photograph horribly, but in person, they’re just right – maybe the most stylish slipper i’ve found.  especially now that they’re 50% off, making them $12 at the loft.  sold out online, but my local shop had plenty in stock….i’ll be heading there today to score a pair!  if you can’t find them, this version makes an excellent backup choice, and either way, she’ll be looking incredibly chic on christmas morning.

stay tuned tomorrow for the ultimate last-minute idea:  a guide to my favorite books for gifting this year.

i got some requests for guy gifts over the weekend and, i agree – they’re trouble when it comes to gifting.  with my hubs, it’s all feast or famine – either i’m filled with great ideas, or i’m desperately without.  fortunately this year, i have a few extras worth sharing.  like, say, this robot:

when i first spotted the tank robot clock ($45), i thought it would be perfect for my gadget/tech-crazed hubs.  but his response was less than inspiring (”so, all he does is tell the time?”).  okay…glad i didn’t order it for you, honey.

so, i now think this robot is better-suited for the guy who dabbles in gadgets, not the guy who’s entirely, obsessively, all-consumed with them (ahem.).  or for a guy with a sense of humor who needs a cool desk clock (perhaps even an especially hip boss).  but personally, i’m calling this one a perfect dad gift.  it feels fun and modern, but has a touch of nostalgia too – like a robot toy he would have played with as a kid.  and it has nothing to do with golf…always a plus with dad gifts in my book.

this might also make a good brother gift – it’s a nice nod to all those years you spent breaking his toys (or was it the other way around?), but a solid step up from replacing his demolished he-man action figure.

(by the way, little tip…the entire perpetual kid website is a fab spot for boy gifts.  give it a browse!)

i just couldn’t bring myself to say “domestic diva.”  that aside, for the girl in your life who loves to host holidays, can’t wait to make up a batch of christmas fudge, and is always, always the one inviting you over for dinner parties, nigella christmas is an absolutely perfect fit.

if you’re not familiar, nigella is sort of the anti-martha stewart.  she’s all about shortcuts, simplification, and generally making it fun and easy to entertain.  while i’m always a fan, this book is possibly my favorite of hers.  sure, the recipes are amazing (try the pomegranate cabbage), but this book is so much more than that.

in the first third of the book, she gives readers a series of easy holiday entertaining dinners, complete with make-ahead side dishes and at least 20 different cocktails, then moves ahead to a special section on a christmas feast.  she includes recipes for a few showstopping main courses, loads of sides, and her tips and tricks for hosting a fabulous, low-stress holiday (my favorite:  invite strangers to ensure your family stays on its best behavior!).  best of all, she’s compiled a flawless timeline/checklist to allow you to be perfectly organized and pulled together without a single hair out of place.

and then there’s the last third of the book, which is totally dedicated to desserts.  as it’s a holiday cookbook, i wouldn’t have it any other way.

grab a copy (or two) and have it on hand as a hostess gift, or as a gift for that girl in your office that never fails to bring homemade christmas cookies to work every year.  also great for someone who’s finally decided to bite the bullet and host their first holiday, and is utterly terrified (not that i’m naming names…).  wrap it up with a wooden spoon tied into the bow (cooks can always use another), and you’re set!

when i originally spotted these necklaces from erica weiner, i thought “oh, how pretty!”.  then i realized those little gold bar pendants are actually vintage letterpress letters, and my eyes got really big.

i’ve always been one of those weird font freaks, someone who has oddly strong opinions on serif versus san serif texts in a given situation.  i also happen to love letterpress…well, really, all things printing.  so, for me, this is inordinately cool.

just tell erica the letters you want her to use, and she’ll pick out different (complementary) vintage letterpress letters from her stash, plate them in 14K gold, and send them off on a pretty gold chain.  i love that it’s a decidedly un-cheesy version of the now-ubiquitous initial necklace, and it would be absolutely perfect for the friend you can’t pull out of the stationery store, or the girl you always go to when your resumé needs to be restyled.

pick one out at erica’s website for $75 – a little pricey for a friend gift, perhaps, but we’re all about wishlists here, right?

EDIT:  i was duped by my mother wrong, father’s day is not this sunday, it’s a week from sunday:  june 21, to be exact. but still, it’s definitely time to come up with a creative idea or two to make dad smile.

this is actually my least-favorite gifting holiday…i just have dads (and stepdads, and granddads…) in my life that are tough to buy for.  in case you have the same issues, i thought i’d forego the traditional cologne, neckties and golf-themed goodies (i’m sure you thought of those all on your own) to give you a few ideas that should work for just about any dad out there – at a price point that shouldn’t break anyone’s bank.

(would-be) metro dad:  if your dad’s in desperate need of some facial TLC, my hubs swears by the men’s products at kiehl’s.  they’re not at all girly, and very effective (despite some cheesy slogan-ing that he enjoys mocking).  the facial fuel face wash, “ultimate man” body scrub soap” and brushless shave cream all win high marks from the hubs for being high-lather, clean-rinsing and very manly-smelling.  the energizing starter kit kiehl’s put together for father’s day contains most of the hubs’ favorite goodies, and is a gifting steal at $28.50. 

sentimental dad:  if he cried at your graduation, and never missed a ballet recital, a reprint of a favorite childhood photo from chic canvas is an absolutely perfect gift.  the folks at chic canvas tell me they’re still delivering in time for dad’s day, but snap to it.  just upload a photo (the two of you when you were a baby, a dad/daughter wedding dance photo, maybe even an old snapshot of dad playing t-ball as a kid), and chic canvas will print it on canvas, wrap it and mount it, so it arrives ready to hang.  i was lucky enough to test these guys out and, trust me, the results are guaranteed to impress!  prices start at $63 for an 8×10.

hard working dad:  for a dad who secretly loves his days at the office, indulge his inner workaholic with a little goodness from knock knock office supplies, a company that never fails to entertain me.  their “make it work” bundle is the perfect combo of ingredients to add a little levity to his work day, without going overboard.  for $30, he’ll get a to-do notepad, a set of “stuff to…” file folders, a weekly planner mousepad and binder clips to remind him whether he should “read”, “file” or “send” what he’s holding.  bonus points if you tack on a gift card to his favorite office-adjacent coffee shop.

travelin’ man: whether it’s for work or for play, this dad just can’t stay off an airplane.  i absolutely love this switchblade toothbrush from metaphys, which comes complete with three different heads and a leather case.  as the description says, it’s all very james bond…for under $60.  (while you’re there, check out the rest of the fabulous a+r store…dad gifts galore!)

classic dad:  if most of your dad’s stories start with “back when i was a kid…”, he’s probably a sucker for the simpler things in life.  this “back in time” alarm clock (about $45) is the perfect accent for his bedside table or office.  the sleek, ’40s style design will remind him of days gone by, and he’ll never miss his favorite NPR program again.

here’s hoping one of these ideas will fit the bill.  does anyone else have any no-fail father’s day ideas?  i know there must be dozens of other creative ideas out there!

for those dear readers who didn’t win the contest, i hope you’ll still be my valentine.  and if you’re still struggling for gifts, here are a few last-minute ideas that i personally guarantee will be a universal hit.

for her:  if you’re feeling splurge-y, head over to saks and grab this pink prada wallet.  it’s the perfect way to say “i love you, and want you to have somewhere amazingly luxe to stash your credit cards.”  trust me…i have the same one in cobalt (courtesy of a hawaii souvenir budget).  words cannot express the sheer awesomeness of this wallet.  or, if you’re not rolling in the dough (like most of us), i swear to the fashion gods that nothing will make her happier than if you walk in the door bearing a handful of pink peonies and a sweet card that didn’t come from a drugstore.  true story.

for him:  guys are so hard to buy for on this sentiment-filled holiday…but i’m pretty sure this is as near flawless as it gets.  head to your local apple store.  pick up these super cool headphones from v-moda – i know we’re not usually into the tech here, but they’re called the vibe II and they’re amazing.  i get annoyed by headphones, headsets, and all their progeny as a rule, but these are fantastic.  they look cool, they don’t tangle, and even i can tell how much better the sound is.  plus, they double as a surprisingly excellent phone headset.  so, tack on an itunes gift card, and you can say you wanted him to be able to listen to his tom petty collection and your sweet voice in style.  his inner gadget geek will come out of the woodwork.  oh, and they work with just about any phone or MP3 player, so no worries there.  (ahem…you may want to pick up a set for yourself while you’re at it…they’re that fab.)

for you:  last, but most important…let’s not forget a valentine for you!  i have a v-day deal that’s guaranteed to steal your heart:

this fantastic blazer is cashmere…and it’s actually a cardigan.  so no tailoring, and no uncomfortable gaping.  these pieces are as close as i get to blazers – i just can’t ever get the right fit, so i cheat.  comes in charcoal, navy and black – all great, classic staples.

at any rate.  $188, down to $75.20 at bloomingdales right now…oh yeah, plus an extra 40% off this weekend.  so, it’s about $40. 

now that’s love.  happy valentine’s day!

i have sort of mixed feelings about this heart-based holiday.  i absolutely adore it when it’s done right…but done wrong, it can end up beyond cheesy.  and if you’re solo, you’re forced to either act bitter or be depressed – not exactly ideal options.

my advice:  nix the dozen red roses, and the heart-shaped boxes of chocolates.  scrap the expensive, romantic restaurant – save that for a random tuesday night.  and ditch the expensive, overly glam gifts (unless you’re celebrating solo, in which case, decadent is the name of the game!).  

i think valentine’s day should be about showing someone you love them.  try sending valentines to a few of your loved ones this year – whether it’s the kiddie version from the drugstore, or something a bit more grown-up.  

if you are celebrating a deux, i suggest skipping the electronics department and the mall jewelry stores.  instead, bake him his favorite dessert, or pick up her favorite treat from a local bakery.  order a pizza, and ask the store to pile it with pepperoni arranged in a heart shape (after way too much time working in a pizza parlor, i know firsthand they’ll be glad to do this).  spend some time shopping for, and buying, a valentine’s card that really says something special….or, even better, write a long-winded message that tells your valentine what you love about them.

if you’re set on a retail expression of love, make it simple and thoughtful.  not to discourage men from splurging, but i suggest remembering this is one holiday for which it really is the thought that counts, and you don’t have to go high-end to get her something that’s special and thoughtful.  if she loves coffee, grab a sweet latte bowl from kim westad, or a really decadent china cup and saucer with a pattern she’d love.  if she’s perpetually hopping into bed with frozen feet, these lovely rose-hued slippers will show her you’re paying attention.  

for him, i love this idea from design*sponge to buy a beautiful (but masculine) throw and stitch a small message in a corner (a very simple project, even for someone as non-handy as me).  i might pair this with a guy-friendly movie, and a card offering to snuggle up with him on the evening of his choice.

art is another fun and unique idea – something like a sweet and sentimental paper cut from rob ryan coveys the ooey gooey love stuff without your having to get creative and wordy, and it’s non-frilly enough to appeal to both sexes.  

if all else fails, go for the element of surprise.  reform the bedroom with a pair of sweet pillowcases, candles and low lighting, and leave an r-rated treat or two on his pillow (a little ‘his and hers’ lube, a blindfold…you get the idea).

oh, and if you’re solo…well, disregard all of the above.  my recipe is to select a really wonderful, irresponsible gift for yourself (no reason to be left out of the retail frenzy, after all), and order takeout from your favorite restaurant.  have them pack it up to go, grab a few girlfriends and call it a party.  you’ll definitely have more fun than all of those poor couples paying $200/person for the “special valentine’s menu”.

happy weekend, everyone…we’ll see you back here on monday with a special valentine’s gift from yours truly.  don’t miss it!